In this article, we will take a look at the 14 Low PE High Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Dividend investors are often split between high yields and dividend growth. High dividend yields are sometimes viewed with suspicion. Many investors associate them with so-called “yield traps.” Even so, over time, they have delivered steady and reliable performance.
According to Nuveen, dividend yields have gradually declined over the past decade as stock prices posted stronger gains. The firm noted that while dividend yields have steadily declined over the past decade because of above-average price returns, capital returns to shareholders have remained strong, and more companies are beginning to pay dividends. The report also suggested that dividends could receive a bit more attention going forward. Share buybacks are still expected to dominate capital returns. Yet companies may slowly lean more toward dividend growth in 2026 as valuations remain elevated.
At the sector level, information technology, financials, and industrials appear positioned for stronger dividend growth. In contrast, slower-growing and higher-yielding sectors such as consumer staples, utilities, and consumer discretionary are expected to deliver more modest single-digit increases.
Nuveen also believes many companies remain in a good position to keep raising dividends over the long term. In the US, corporate balance sheets are still healthy. Consumers have remained resilient. Earnings growth is also expected to pick up further in 2026. Data from FactSet shows that S&P 500 dividends per share rose 4% in 2025. Consensus estimates point to another 5% increase in 2026.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks to invest in.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
Our Methodology:
To compile this list, we filtered for dividend stocks with a forward P/E ratio below 23 and dividend yields of around 3%, as of March 10. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
14. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 2.96%
Forward P/E Ratio: 13.26
On March 3, Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price recommendation on Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR) to $152 from $141. The firm kept a Neutral rating on the stock. The analyst said bank stocks went through a volatile week. Several issues weighed on the sector at the same time. These included renewed tariff concerns, the collapse of UK-based Market Financial Solutions, ongoing worries about AI-driven job losses, and a January PPI reading that came in above expectations. Taken together, these developments added to short-term uncertainty. Even so, Cantor said it remains optimistic about the sector heading into 2026, according to the firm’s research note.
During the company’s earnings call, management said it expects net interest income to grow roughly 3% to 5% in 2026. CFO Dan Geddes also pointed to a slight improvement in the bank’s net interest margin. He said the margin could increase by about 5 to 10 basis points compared with the full-year 2025 level of 3.66%. Loan growth is also expected to remain steady. The company projects average loan balances for the full year to rise between 5% and 7%.
Average deposits are expected to grow more slowly, likely increasing by around 2% to 3%. Management also expects noninterest income to climb about 4% to 5%. Noninterest expenses are projected to rise a bit faster, in the range of 5% to 6%. Geddes added that the bank expects full-year 2026 net charge-offs to come in between 20 and 25 basis points of average loans.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR) is a U.S. bank holding company that offers a broad range of financial products and services across several markets in Texas.
13. APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 3.08%
Forward P/E Ratio: 14.68
On March 5, RBC Capital raised its price recommendation on APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA) to $29 from $26. The firm reiterated a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The analyst said the stock has been supported by strong oil prices, given its close beta correlation to oil. APA also reported solid Q4 earnings and guidance last week, which added to the positive momentum, according to the research note. The firm still holds a neutral view on the shares. RBC pointed to longer-dated catalysts, relative valuation, and the company’s shorter inventory duration as factors behind that stance.
During the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO John Christmann described 2025 as a very successful year for APA. He said the period was marked by steady progress on the company’s strategic priorities and strong execution across its asset base. Christmann also highlighted the company’s cost discipline. He noted that APA had originally set a goal of cutting controllable spending by $350 million on a run-rate basis by the end of 2027.
According to him, the company exceeded that target much earlier than planned. It now expects to exit 2026 with a run rate of about $450 million. Christmann also said APA met or exceeded its oil production guidance in the Permian every quarter during 2025. This happened even as the company operated with a capital budget that came in lower than initially planned. He added that APA made meaningful progress in evaluating its Permian Basin inventory. That work, he said, has strengthened confidence in the company’s ability to sustain long-term oil production while improving capital efficiency.
Turning to Egypt, Christmann said more focused activity under a revised gas pricing framework supported solid production growth. He indicated that gas output in the region is expected to reach roughly 540 million to 550 million cubic feet per day this year.
APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA) is an independent energy company. The company owns subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt, and the United Kingdom, and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname.
12. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 3.21%
Forward P/E Ratio: 15.27
On March 10, Truist lowered its price recommendation on Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) to $260 from $317. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares ahead of the company’s Q2 results. The firm said its enterprise AI adoption checks suggest the demand environment remains stagnant. At the same time, frontier AI models continue to improve significantly, the analyst said in a research note. Truist also noted that consensus FY27 estimates could face pressure. Slower spending from ecosystem partners and potential AI-driven cannibalization may weigh on expectations.
Earlier, on March 5, TD Cowen also reduced its price target on Accenture. The firm lowered its target to $282 from $300 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. Cowen previewed the company’s Q2 results and said it expects second-quarter performance and management commentary on the outlook to be relatively sanguine. The firm added that the current pressure around the AI narrative may be overstated. At the same time, Cowen acknowledged that it is difficult to identify a clear catalyst that could materially change estimates or shift sentiment around this earnings release.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services company. It provides a broad range of services and solutions across strategy and consulting, technology, operations, Industry X, and Song.
11. Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 3.83%
Forward P/E Ratio: 6.97
On March 5, Telsey Advisory raised its price recommendation on Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI) to $25 from $23. It reiterated a Market Perform rating on the shares. The firm said it was encouraged by the company’s Q4 performance, noting that results came in better than expected, the analyst told investors. Even so, the firm believes the company remains an established brand and continues to expect pressure on topline growth and operating margins in 2026.
A day earlier, on March 4, the company projected a steeper-than-expected drop in annual sales. This came despite results for the holiday quarter that topped estimates. CEO Daniel Heaf said a turnaround at the fragrance retailer will take time. Many consumers are dealing with higher living costs and a weaker labor market. As a result, spending on non-essential items has slowed. That shift has weighed on retailers like Bath & Body Works.
The company expects full-year net sales to decline between 2.5% and 4.5%. Analysts had been looking for a smaller drop of about 1.9%, according to data compiled by LSEG. The midpoint of the company’s annual adjusted profit forecast, which ranges from $2.40 to $2.65 per share, also came in slightly below estimates of $2.56.
Bath & Body Works said its full-year outlook includes about 130 basis points of gross margin pressure tied to tariff-related product cost inflation. The company sources its products domestically. Management also said the company has reduced its product offerings by about 10%. The goal is to simplify and modernize the in-store experience. Last year, the company also said it would drop non-core categories and refocus on its key businesses. Bath & Body Works reported fourth-quarter sales of $2.72 billion, beating estimates of $2.62 billion.
Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI) is a global omnichannel retailer focused on personal care and home fragrance. The company sells a range of products for the body and home, including 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers, fine fragrance mists, liquid hand soaps, body lotions, and body creams.
10. Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 3.99%
Forward P/E Ratio: 22.78
On March 6, RBC Capital raised its price recommendation on Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) to C$65 from C$61. The firm reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. The analyst said the firm’s bullish view reflects the company’s leadership team, strong alignment with shareholders, and operating performance that ranks among the best in the sector. The comments were shared in a research note to investors.
A day earlier, on March 5, the company said its Board of Directors approved a 6.4% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on its common shares. The dividend will rise to $0.625 per common share, up from the previous quarterly cash dividend of $0.5875 per common share.
The company also highlighted its long history of dividend growth. The increase marks the 26th consecutive year of dividend increases, with a compound annual growth rate of 20% over that period. Management said this record reflects the confidence the Board of Directors has in the sustainability of the company’s business model, its strong balance sheet, and the strength of its diverse, long-life, low-decline reserves and asset base.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) is a senior crude oil and natural gas production company, with continuing operations in its core areas located in Western Canada, the UK portion of the North Sea and Offshore Africa.
9. Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 4.01%
Forward P/E Ratio: 8.80
On March 5, Piper Sandler raised its price recommendation on Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) to $14 from $13. It reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said the rotation trade received renewed attention this week as the prospect of war with Iran placed about 20% of global oil, product, and gas supply at risk. According to Piper, the conflict has largely overshadowed Q4 results and FY26 outlooks across the sector. Even so, the firm expects little change from U.S. operators in response to the situation.
During the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO David Rockecharlie discussed the completion of nearly $5 billion in transactions during 2025. He said the activity included more than $4 billion in acquisitions completed at less than 3x EBITDA. At the same time, the company sold nearly $1 billion of non-core assets at valuations above 5x EBITDA.
Rockecharlie said this reflects the company’s strategy of compounding value by recycling capital. The approach involves shifting funds out of non-core holdings and redeploying them into higher-return, scalable assets where its operational playbook can be used to generate value over time.
He also introduced what he described as a new catalyst for equity value. The focus was on the company’s minerals platform, Present Royalties. According to Rockecharlie, the minerals portfolio currently generates roughly $160 million in annual cash flow.
Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) is an energy company. Its operations are focused on Texas and the Rockies, with active development in the Eagle Ford and Uinta basins. The company also operates conventional assets in Wyoming, where it is involved in carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS).
8. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 4.02%
Forward P/E Ratio: 11.92
On March 10, Arete analyst Andrew Beale upgraded AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) to Neutral from Sell. It set a $28 price target on the shares. The firm raised its estimates to reflect the company’s copper switch-off, which lifted its financial outlook and led to the upgrade. Even so, Arete said it still prefers shares of T-Mobile (TMUS) and Verizon (VZ) over AT&T.
A Reuters report on March 10 said AT&T plans to invest more than $250 billion in the United States over the next five years to expand its network infrastructure. The company also plans to hire thousands of technicians to support the build-out. The spending will focus on expanding fiber and wireless networks. That includes faster deployment of fiber broadband, 5G home internet, and satellite connectivity across urban, suburban, and rural areas.
The investment reflects rising demand for data, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and connected devices. Telecom companies are also competing more directly with cable broadband providers. Analysts also pointed to AT&T’s partnership with AST SpaceMobile as an area investors are watching as the company works to expand coverage.
The investment push comes as competition in the sector intensifies. Comcast is expanding its network, while Verizon Communications is accelerating broadband growth following its acquisition of Frontier Communications.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a holding company and provides telecommunications and technology services globally. The company operates through two segments: Communications and Latin America.
7. The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 4.49%
Forward P/E Ratio: 11.92
On March 9, Canaccord analyst Matthew Lee downgraded The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS) to Hold from Buy. The firm also lowered the price target on the stock to C$110 from C$118. The analyst said the bank still has areas that need attention, particularly in its Canadian P&C banking and Wealth Management businesses, where performance has generally lagged peers. The firm had previously expected Scotiabank to narrow its P/E gap with peers to about 5%. That view has changed. The analyst now believes the discount will likely remain in place, pointing to the bank’s “relatively modest” ROE expectations.
Earlier, on March 2, Casa, a Canadian payments and rewards platform, and Scotiabank announced a collaboration aimed at modernizing how Canadians pay for housing. The companies said the initiative reflects a shared view that major expenses should come with meaningful rewards. As part of the arrangement, ScotiaGold Passport Visa cardholders can use the card to pay rent or condo fees through the Casa platform without transaction fees.
The partnership allows Canadians to earn rewards on housing-related payments. Cardholders receive 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on everyday purchases. Those who spend at least $350 per month can also earn points on rent or housing payments made through the Casa platform. The program is tied to Scene+, which has more than 15 million members.
Casa’s platform works with property operators representing more than 500,000 apartment and condo units. The platform is also expanding to allow more households to pay rent or condo fees and earn rewards, even in buildings that do not usually accept credit cards. Payments can also be made using other Visa and Mastercard cards. Fees apply in those cases unless the ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card is used.
The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS) is a chartered Schedule I bank and a global financial services provider. It offers personal, commercial, corporate, and investment banking services. The bank operates through several segments, including Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, Global Banking and Markets, and Other.
6. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 4.83%
Forward P/E Ratio: 8.29
On March 10, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) announced a long-term partnership with Bread Financial to launch a co-branded credit card and installment loan program. The financing initiative is intended to give customers more flexible payment options while improving the overall ownership experience. It is also meant to make subscriptions, parts, and services easier to access while offering rewards to customers.
The co-branded credit card and installment loans will be built into Ford’s digital platforms. Customers will be able to finance service or accessory purchases online or at dealerships across the country. Through the Ford Rewards program, cardholders can also earn points on everyday spending with the Ford Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card. New cardholders can receive a bonus of 15,000 points, worth about $75, after making a purchase within the first 90 days.
They may also qualify for a $100 statement credit after spending $1,500 during that same period. The card offers up to 16 points per $1 spent on purchases at Ford.com and eligible dealership service transactions. It also provides 6 points per $1 on categories such as groceries, restaurants, gas, EV charging, auto insurance, tolls, and parking. Other purchases earn 2 points per $1. Points earned through the card can be redeemed for accessories, service, subscriptions, or even applied toward the purchase of a new Ford vehicle.
Bread Financial will also work with Ford to use data-driven insights to improve the customer experience across different channels.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is an automobile company that develops and delivers Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans, and cars, along with Lincoln luxury vehicles and connected services. The company operates through several segments, including Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, and Ford Credit.
5. The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 4.94%
Forward P/E Ratio: 6.14
A Bloomberg report on March 2 said BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT AB have agreed to acquire The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) in a cash deal valued at about $10.7 billion. The transaction comes as demand rises for power producers that can supply electricity to large, energy-intensive AI data centers.
Under the terms of the agreement, the buyers will pay $15 per share for AES. The deal gives the company an enterprise value of about $33.4 billion. The offer is below the company’s previous closing price of $17.28, a level that had climbed on takeover speculation. Even so, the bid represents roughly a 40% premium to the stock’s 30-day volume-weighted average price before reports surfaced that AES was exploring a sale. The companies expect the transaction to close in early 2027.
The deal highlights how power developers are becoming more valuable as technology companies build larger AI data centers that require substantial electricity. AES already supplies renewable power to several major tech companies. Its existing agreements include Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
People familiar with the situation said AES had been considering other steps before agreeing to the deal. One option involved eliminating the dividend and issuing significant equity to support a growing pipeline of power projects. Going private is expected to give the company greater financial flexibility and better access to capital as it continues expanding.
The process took several months. Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT initially competed for the acquisition before deciding to team up to complete the deal. JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo advised AES on the transaction. Goldman Sachs served as adviser to Global Infrastructure Partners, while Citigroup advised EQT.
The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) is an energy company that operates through four segments: Renewables, Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and New Energy Technologies. The Renewables segment includes solar, wind, energy storage, and hydro generation facilities. The Utilities segment includes AES Indiana, AES Ohio, and AES El Salvador regulated utilities and their generation facilities.
4. ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 4.99%
Forward P/E Ratio: 15.38
On March 6, Barclays analyst Theresa Chen raised the firm’s price recommendation on ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) to $82 from $76 and maintained an Equal Weight rating on the shares after meeting with management. The analyst said Oneok’s “diversified footprint and significant operating leverage position the company to capture upside from incremental gas demand across lower-tier basins over time,” according to a research note shared with investors.
During the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, President and CEO Pierce Norton described 2025 as a pivotal year for ONEOK. He pointed to a 12% increase in net income attributable to the company, which reached $3.39 billion. Adjusted EBITDA also grew, rising 18% to $8.02 billion. Norton also discussed the progress following the acquisition of Magellan Midstream Partners. He said the company has generated nearly $500 million in total synergies so far, including $250 million realized during 2025.
Looking ahead, he noted that the company’s 2026 adjusted EBITDA midpoint forecast of $8.1 billion is expected to be supported by higher volumes, projects that are already completed or nearing completion, and another $150 million in acquisition-related synergies. Norton also highlighted the strength of ONEOK’s earnings profile. About 90% of the company’s earnings are fee-based, he said.
According to Norton, that structure helps limit exposure to commodity price swings and supports the stability of the company’s valuation. He also outlined ONEOK’s broader strategy, which centers on scale, integration, and stable fee-based revenue. Norton added that the company sees long-term growth potential in the Bakken Formation. Roughly 5,000 wells remain to be drilled on dedicated acreage in the region.
ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) is a midstream operator that provides gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation, storage, and marine export services. The company operates through several segments, including Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, Natural Gas Pipelines, and Refined Products and Crude.
3. Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 5.12%
Forward P/E Ratio: 9.80
On March 4, Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) reported preliminary month-end assets under management (AUM) of $1.74 trillion as of February 28, 2026. That compares with $1.71 trillion a month ago. The company said the increase mainly reflected stronger markets during the month. It also included long-term net inflows of about $10 billion. Those figures include around $1 billion of long-term net outflows from Western Asset Management. Excluding Western Asset Management, preliminary long-term net inflows came to about $11 billion.
As of February 28, Western Asset Management reported preliminary AUM of $221 billion. That compares with $216 billion at the end of January. The change in AUM reflected support from market performance during the month. It also included cash management net inflows of $5 billion. Those gains were partly offset by the previously mentioned long-term net outflows of about $1 billion.
Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) is a global investment management company. Its subsidiaries operate under the Franklin Templeton brand and serve clients in more than 150 countries. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers investment capabilities across equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions.
2. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 6.33%
Forward P/E Ratio: 9.06
On March 6, Reuters reported that China has approved Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)’s GLP-1 treatment Xianweiying for long-term weight management in overweight or obese adults. Pfizer shared the update on WeChat on March 6. The approval adds new competition to a market that analysts expect to grow into a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
“This marks a breakthrough in the field of weight management,” Pfizer’s licensing partner Sciwind Biosciences said on its website. In February, Pfizer secured the mainland China commercialization rights for Xianweiying, which is also known as ecnoglutide. The rights were licensed from Sciwind, a company based in the eastern city of Hangzhou.
Sciwind previously said the agreement was “an important first step to advance Pfizer’s global strategy in the metabolic field in China”. The approval strengthens Pfizer’s position in the fast-growing weight-loss drug market.
The company has also been expanding its presence in the obesity treatment space. It recently acquired obesity drug developer Metsera and also obtained another experimental GLP-1 drug from a different developer.
A Pfizer spokesperson told Reuters that Xianweiying is administered as a once-a-week injection. The spokesperson declined to comment on pricing or when the drug might launch in China. Ecnoglutide is also approved in China as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. The company focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale, and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide.
1. Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG)
Dividend Yield as of March 10: 7.61%
Forward P/E Ratio: 10.33
On March 6, Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) announced plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The company will invest about $220 million in the project over several years. The expansion is expected to create more than 100 new jobs during the next five years. The company said the move will support the local manufacturing workforce and contribute to the region’s economy.
Craig Weiss, senior vice president, supply chain, Conagra Brands, made the following statement:
“This significant investment in our Fayetteville facility will allow us to continue to grow our leading frozen foods business. Conagra is committed to investing in innovation across the company, including our supply chain. We are also pleased to continue growing in Fayetteville, where Conagra has a long history.”
Conagra plans to begin construction later this year at the Fayetteville site. The goal is to significantly increase the facility’s chicken production capacity. The company said the investment reflects its long-term commitment to the Fayetteville community. It also supports future growth and product innovation within its protein portfolio. The Fayetteville facility currently produces ready-to-eat meals for several brand labels. These include Hungry-Man, Banquet, Healthy Choice, Gardein, and evol. Each year, the site produces about 15 million cases of product.
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) is a branded food company. Its operations are organized into several segments, including Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment includes branded shelf-stable food products sold through various retail channels across the United States.
While we acknowledge the potential of CAG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CAG and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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